Garden show to benefit St. John's College fund

NEIGHBORS

March 07, 1994|By LYN BACKE

Organizers of the third annual Caritas Flower and Garden Show at St. John's College in Annapolis took a lesson from last year's "blizzard of the century."

Figuring that it will take 99 years, plus or minus, for the conditions to take their presentation hostage again, they have expanded this year's show to two days: Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The show will be in the Francis Scott Key Lobby and adjacent areas, including indoor rooms and a heated pavilion featuring free-form ponds, displays and crafts.

Martha Breed and Casey Pingle, both of Annapolis, are hostesses for a preview party Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The evening features a preview of the show, refreshments, and a silent auction.

Saturday's activities include the "Bloomin' Breakfast" at 9:30 a.m. in Randall Hall, with guest speaker Charles Renyvesi, who writes "The Ornamental Gardener" column for The Washington Post. He also is responsible for the weekly political column, "Washington Whispers" in U.S. News and World Report.

Nicolas Ekstrom, vice president of the Horticultural Society of New York, will speak on "Choice Perennials for Maryland Gardens" at 11:30 Saturday morning.

This year's show includes perennials, dried and cut flowers, herbs, edible flowers and spring bulbs.

Special displays include a graphics presentation on landscaping, decorative containers, wild bird gardens and aquatic displays, and floral arrangements. The floral arrangements pool the talents of local gardeners and community groups, reflecting the themes of novels such as "The Good Earth" and "Gone with the Wind." An area illustrating favorite children's stories will be assembled by elementary school students.

These displays were developed under the guidance of Betty Ball of Annapolis, Betty Meneely of Edgewater, and Joan Dawson Ruch of Severna Park.

Proceeds from the Flower and Garden Show benefit the Caritas Society's fund for St. John's College students with financial emergencies. For more information on lectures, demonstrations, admissions, and special event tickets, call 757-4086.

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Arrangements and table assignments are being made final for the 29th annual Pink Lady Ball, this year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Auxiliary of Anne Arundel Medical Center.

The black-tie affair is on March 26 at the Loews Annapolis Hotel. Cocktails are at 6:30 p.m. Dinner and dancing begin at 8 p.m., with music by Gene Donati and his orchestra.

The Pink Lady Ball is one of the major fund-raising activities for the Auxiliary.

Tickets are $250 per couple, with part of the ticket price tax deductible. Proceeds will benefit the medical center's Rebecca M. Clatanoff Pavilion.

For information and reservations, call 267-1249.

* The medical center is offering two smoking-cessation programs to help employees kick the habit, and community classes as well. For information, call 267-1000.